Let us come together as one humane family, help educate to liberate and advocate for the humane rights of all people upon Mother Earth!”And you will know the truth, and that very truth will make you free."~John 8:32

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Check It Out> Service Provider Opportunities

Thank you Victoria ~ I hope we can work closer together in the troubled times to come. I got a Printout and will distribute it. Blessings.

1. We Connect 's website serves as a one-stop-shop site, connecting Californians to programs and services for which they may be eligible.

Community Outreach to Tent CityOver the past month, the Ending Chronic Homelessness Initiative organized multiple outreach efforts to the largest camping area along the American River just north of downtown Sacramento. During these outreaches, community volunteers asked campers a variety of questions to gather information about who is living at this camp, what their obstacles are for entering shelters or accessing services, and whether they are interested in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH is safe and affordable long-term housing linked with flexible support services that are available as they are needed).

As of the end of March, the outreach team collected about 100 surveys and some interesting points of the survey are:

33% would be willing to go into the VOA Winter Shelter when they leave Tent City

94% would accept permanent housing with voluntary services (PSH)

The City of Sacramento and the Sierra Health Foundation has funded the extension of the VOA Winter Shelter. The shelter will remain open until July 1, 2009 and 50 additional beds including private spaces for couples and individuals are now available. There is also more open space for recreation and outdoor enjoyment as well as extended hours of operation by two to three hours in the morning. Over night kennel services for pets is available at Loaves and Fishes as well as storage at the North B ST Salvation Army. These additions are also funded by the City of Sacramento.

VOA Winter Shelter Service Provider Sign Up and Tour InformationIf you are a service provider and are interested in spending an evening hour at the Winter Shelter to talk to clients during the upcoming weeks, email Nikki Stern, VOA Program Coordinator. Available times are Monday -Friday from 6:30pm-7:30pm.

An additional tour of the shelter is scheduled for Monday, April 20th from 10:30am-11am.

Homeless Connect Needs Volunteers!Sacramento Homeless Connect is just around the corner on the weekend after Memorial Day on Saturday, May 30th from 10am-3pm at Sacramento City College.The planning team is busy inviting service providers, organizing logistics, and coordinating services! We are excited about this important community event..

We are looking for about 400 community volunteers to help the event run smoothly and effectively. We are excited to be partnering with Hands On Sacramento to help with volunteer recruitment and organizing. If you are interested in volunteering, please click here to register online at Hands on Sacramento.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento for being this year's Presenting Sponsor of Sacramento Homeless Connect! Without their support and the support of our partners, the Salvation Army and the Community Services and Planning Council, this event would not be possible. Thank you!

Help Us "Come On Home" - A Fundraiser Event for Sacramento Homeless ConnectThe Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society and the Ending Chronic Homelessness Initiative will join forces to engage community support in ending homelessness. A first-of-its-kind fundraiser titled, "Come on Home" will take place at the 36th Annual Sacramento Jazz Jubileeheld onMay 22-25. Donations received will support Homeless Connect. Organizers of Homeless Connect will be available throughout the weekend to answer questions and talk about Homeless Connect as well as collect donations.

For information about purchasing tickets to the Jazz Jubilee, click here.

Great News from the Faith and Homeless Families Initiative!With the help of shelter case managers, trained mentor teams, congregation leaders, and our staff, the Faith and Homeless Families team has matched seven families with congregations!

The initiative provides temporary housing assistance, financial planning and education provided by mentor teams, and other supportive services to families through a partnership between faith congregations and service providers. If you are interested in becoming involved with this initiative as it continues to grow, please visit our website for more information.